Placement of temp prob

Where exactly should my temp prob be placed? Should the probe be all the way under the substrate, or slightly sticking out? I cleaned her cage the other day, and put it under the substrate. The temp went up to 120. I moved it to where it is sticking out a little bit, and right now its 90. I know she dosen't go under the substrate, but I don't want to burn her either. I have the cool side on a lamp dimmer.

I'm putting a few breeder tanks together my self and have wondered the same thing. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Tony...

I think what a lot of people here are doing is to tape it directly to the heat pad underneath the tank using foil tape. Then adjust your thermostat or your dimmer accordingly so that the floor temp inside the tank is where it should be. By tapeing it outside of the tank like this, the snake will never move it and throw off your temp readings.

Probes on digital thermometers measure air temps. In my opinion, they should not be "fixed" in a single location, but moved around the enclosure so that everywhere your ball python travels can be sampled.

If you "fix" the probe in a single spot, the temps might be correct there, but elsewhere in the enclosure they might be off.

-adam

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TheNooB

I think what a lot of people here are doing is to tape it directly to the heat pad underneath the tank using foil tape.

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That's more appropriate for the probe from a thermostat, not a thermometer.

-adam

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Adam_Wysocki

That's more appropriate for the probe from a thermostat, not a thermometer.

-adam

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duhh thats what i was thinking about... thanks

OK. Let me understand. The digital thermometer probe should be in the tank (I thought mid way down and centered) and the probe for the thermostat taped to the heating pad for a more accurate temp setting. Hmm.

Tony..

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ARamos8

OK. Let me understand. The digital thermometer probe should be in the tank (I thought mid way down and centered) and the probe for the thermostat taped to the heating pad for a more accurate temp setting. Hmm.

Tony..

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Like Adam said you will want to know what the temps are throught the cage. The probe of a thermometer will depend on what your trying to measure.. If your measuring "backing" spots then you will want on the ground by the element.. If you want air temps then 4-6" above the floor is where I put my probes..

Thanks folks. Its clear now. I would be more concerned with the humudity (Houston, TX) than the temp settings for obvious reasons. Worst case, buy another digital thermometer (Wal-Mart) for groud readings. That was simple.

P.S.
Smooth transaction Matt (exo-terra pads)

Tony...

Hey anytime bro:)